Peppermint Aero Chocolate Cupcakes

My favorite type of chocolate is anything with mint - peppermint aero being my top choice.  I have been thinking about doing a mint chocolate cupcake for a while and finally got around to it this weekend.  I knew that I would have to incorporate some aero chunks into these cupcakes to make them just right.  I did a basic chocolate fudge cake (with chopped up pieces of aero bar added) and a mint buttercream icing.  The consistency of the frosting wasnt as thick as I would have liked it for piping but it tasted great!   

Chocolate Fudge Cupcakes

• 2 cups all-purpose flour unsifted
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup butter or margarine room temperature
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 3 ounces unsweetened chocolate melted
• *optional* 2 1/2 aero chocolate bars chopped and folded into mix

Mint Buttercream Frosting

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter
• 4-5 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/8 teaspoon all natural peppermint extract

Beat the butter until creamy, scrape bowl, add 4 cups of sifted powdered sugar, milk, and peppermint extract, beat until combined.  Add more powdered sugar as needed to get piping consistency.

I doubled this recipe and my mixer was on the verge of over flowing.  If you are worried that this frosting will not be enough its plenty for two dozen cupcakes.  By the time my frosting was done I probably had 10x the amount of peppermint extract and I still didn't find it that strong.  I suggest atleast doubling what the recipe calls for and doing some taste tests to get it right.

Cupcake Craze

I grew up watching my Mom do every crafty thing she could possibly get her hands on - Cake baking, toll painting, cross stitch, knitting, scrap booking.  You name it, she's done it.  I like to think that through her, I have inherited the same passion to craft and create.  My current artistic outlet and obsession: Cupcakes. 

One habit of mine that I don't pride myself on is the fact that I will start projects and never finish them.  A great example of that is my thousands of photos waiting to be scrap booked from China.  So.. the plus side to being obsessed with cupcakes is that the process is short and sweet.

I have had quite a few requests for me to start posting all the cupcakes I have been making.  Recipes will be included for all you keener's who want to try them at home yourselves.  For those of you who can't bake - let me know when you want to come eat some!